03.08.24

Ranking Member Scott Statement on February Jobs Report

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 275,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9 percent. Under President Biden’s leadership, the economy has added 14.9 million jobs. President Biden added more jobs in his first two years in office, than his predecessor did in four years in office. 

“Today’s job report is proof that the policy choices made by Congressional Democrats and the Biden Administration are working. Democrats have consistently prioritized legislation that puts people over politics and builds the economy from the bottom up and the middle out. 

“We must continue to advance policies that will build on our progress. As laid out in the President’s address to Congress last night, we must continue improve access to quality, affordable health care, postsecondary education, job training, and other workforce programs.” 

“The Pell Grant was intended to create opportunities for people to access postsecondary education who would otherwise be unable to afford it.   However, the Pell Grant does not currently support students seeking short-term training programs. The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act would expand the Pell Grant to high-quality, short-term job training programs. It will help students afford short-term training programs, workers find in-demand and good-paying jobs, and employers fill job openings with quality candidates. 

“I look forward to bringing this policy to the House floor and eventually to the President’s desk.”

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